Entrance of St. Nino the Enlightener into Georgia

Commemorated on May 19

The holy Apostles Andrew the First-called and Simon the Canaanite preached the Christian Faith in Georgia in the first century, but by the fourth century, the country had reverted to paganism.

After the Theotokos revealed God’s will for the country’s future, Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino set off for Georgia to enlighten the Iberian people. She arrived in Armenia with the holy martyrs and virgins Rhipsimia, Gaiana and their fifty companions. The holy virgins were martyred in Armenia and, according to God’s will, St. Nino journeyed on alone to Lake Paravani, entering Georgia from the Javakheti Mountains. She arrived in the spring, but the weather was unseasonably cold.

The Apostolic Church of Georgia has honored the Entrance of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino as a major feast day. The Church also commemorates St. Nino on January 14, the day of her repose.

By permission of the Orthodox Church in America (www.oca.org)